There are many reasons to be happy about Justin Fields morphing into a star. The most obvious is what it means for the Chicago Bears’ long-term future. Nothing makes competing for championships in the NFL easier than a good quarterback. That is why this organization has only seven playoff appearances in the past 30 years. They’ve never been able to get that position right. It’s somewhat ironic former GM Ryan Pace likely lost his job because he whiffed so badly at the position only to hit it big right before he got fired.
His replacement Ryan Poles is undoubtedly grateful. Fields has over 1,100 total yards in the past five games with 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Bears offense is averaging 31 points per game in the past three weeks. What makes it so amazing is he’s done it with mostly average talent around him. Chicago has no true star talent at wide receiver, running back, tight end, or the offensive line. Everything goes through Fields.
People should note the timing of Justin Fields’ breakout.
Remember, the Bears enter an important off-season in 2023. They have a full slate of draft picks and more than $100 million in salary cap space. Poles may not wish to spend lavishly, but it’s a fair assumption he’ll hope to lure some top free agents to Chicago. Two things tend to do that. Money is one, and a quarterback is the other. Suddenly the Bears have both. Rest assured, NFL players aren’t stupid. As much as teams scout pending free agents, free agents also scout other teams.
They know the Bears have money, and they also know Justin Fields is playing like a superstar in the making. It isn’t hard to imagine guys wanting to be part of what’s coming while also getting paid. Poles might score some of the biggest names on the market in March and not have to shell out record-breaking contracts to make it happen. That is a situation this franchise isn’t used to being in. It’s certainly one they can get used to.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Keep an eye on guys like Orlando Brown, Elgton Jenkins, Jack Conklin, Mike Gesicki, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, among others. If they hit the market, Chicago will likely be high on their list of destinations.
